Radiator cap for automobiles



Dec. 4, 1928.

L. A. BEAN RADIATOR CAP FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 9. 1921 Patented Dec. 4, 1928.

UNITED g sues LOUIS A. BEAN, OF DENVER; COLORADO.

RADIATOR CAP FOP, AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed August 9, 1921. Serial No. 490,918.

7 The object of this invention is to provide a radiator cap for automobiles which will be not only ornamental, but will be theftproof as well, may be easily opened for filling the rad ator, and will so carry a thermometer as to prevent theft of the latter.

Briefly, the invention consists of an adapter adapted to be mounted uponthe neck of the radiator and immovably retained thereon, a cap-body proper which preferably is ornamental and has a limited amount of lo tation upon said adapter, and means for con trolling access to the interior of said cap. Preferably said means is at the back of the 5 cap and is lock-controlled, and said limited rotation brings the back into position for filling the radiator when said means is removed. Temperature reglstermg means 1s also mounted onthe cap and has its stem projecting therethrough and secured on its inner end. The cap also conveniently carries on each side a mirror so that the driver may see each side of the road the rear, and lighting means are provided for illuminating the thermometer and 'ornamenting the cap. a y

In the drawings wherein one embodiment of the invention isshown,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation. of portions broken away;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation indicated'by line 22 of Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is a partial verticallongitudinal section;.

Fig. 4 is a. sectional detail taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are similar views of the separate parts of Fig. 4;

Fig. 17 is a sectional detail taken on line 77 of Fig. 2 showing the mirror-clamp construction; d

Fig. 8 is a sectional. detail showingtheornamental lighting feature, being taken on line 8 of Fig. 1; and v Fig. 9 is a sectional detail similar to that of Fig. 4 showing a slightly modified construction.

Fig. 10 is a similar view ot a further modification. I V

The drawings indicate the usual radiator R of an automobile Provided with a filling neck N. The capv of the present invention includes an adapter. A which may be threaded internally to receive an externally the cap With f threaded neck as shown in Figs. 3 t0 6, or ex tcrnally threaded to receive an internally threaded neck asin Fig. 9. The cap-body V 10 is preferably inthe form of an ornamental device such as an animal head as shown, the head being'normally directed'forward and'having its rear portion inclined as indicat'e'd in F ig. 1 to provide ample clearance for the hood H when the same is lifted and the key K of the lock is removed.

In the form of Figs. 3 to 6, the neck N, which receives the adapter A, is notched on its upper edge at 12, and the adapter 'is threaded at 14 to receive the base of'the cap 10. he upper outer portion of said adaptor is provided with an annular groove, for receiving a spring ring 15 split as indicated at 16 and the outerintermediate portion of said adapter A is shouldered aslindicatedat 18 for engagement with the outer face of the base of the cap 10. The distance between the shoulder 18 and the under face of ring 15 is somewhat less than the thickness of said cap-base sothat the cap may be rotated upon the adapter to a limited extent. This amount is preferably one-half revolution so that the back ofthe device may be directed forward for filling the radiator or gaining" access to the interior of the cap. The ring jl5 effectually prevents removalv of the cap from the adapter. A clip orretainer 120 is adapted to fit in a vertical groove in the inner face of the adapter and. to have its lower extremity seat in said notch 12 in the neck N. The upper end of said groove 22 terminates 1m notch 24 in the upper edge ofadapter A which notch 24 receives an offsettongue 120 of the retainer 20, saidtonguc 1.20 overhanging and engaging the ring 15. ap proximately across its entire widthso as to efi'ectually prevent removal thereof; Said re tainerQ-O is secured in place in the groove 22 and notches 12 and'24 by a set screw 25 which maybe easily set by a slender screw driver. Thus removal of the cap 1(lf1'on1 the adapter A and oftheadapter from the neck N easily prevented. while limited rotation of the cap is permitted;. Said set screw 25 passes through the retainer 20 and. enters a threaded hole 26. in the adapter. In the formof Fig. 9, where the neck N is internally threaded, the adapter A is exadapter.

and has a filling aperture ada ted to be closed by apl ug 30 having a kno or handle 32 for manipulation thereof. 'As shown this knob is countersunk and isalso circular so that it will be impossible to engage the same with a tool for twisting the plug and breaking the lock bar. Preferab said plug 30 is flanged at 34 and snugly ht so as to produce a steam or vapor tight joint; The inner wall of the drug is rounded .olf as shown and is provi' ed with a projection 35 into the path of which a locking bolt 36 is adapted to be prtfected tl'lrough the mediuin of a key Ix which controls the tumbler barrel ll) of a loekhousing .38 secured in position as by means of'headless screws 39 which may be braded over to prevent removal. Thuswhen the bolt 3611s projected the plug 30 can not be removed, but when Withdrawn said plug 'may be readily removed with ones fingers which will enter the depression around the knob 32.-

A thermometer of any desired type having a stem adapted to pass through the cap 10 may besecured in said cap so as to revent removal through the, medium of suitable locking means such as lock nuts 44 secured to said stem on the inside of the cap. Packing 45 may be employed to secure a vapor tight joint. The thermometer may be illuminated at night by means of a globe having a reflector 48 and connected to an electric conductor 50. The conductor 50. whichmay-enter through the rear wall of the cap 10 also leads to ornamental lights 51 which serve asthe eyes in the animals head. I

Suitable supports, such asarrow shafts 52, extend laterally and u ward from the cap and carry mirrors 54 liaving rims '55 provided with ears 56 clamped between cars 58 on bands 60 mounted upon the shafts 52. By adjusting 'tlie bands G0 and the joints between cars 56 and 5,8, the mirrors 54 may be located as desiredto show 'the' road in the rear on'bothsi des.

Inassembling the construction of Figs. 3

and ikthe adapterAwillbe placed ont-he neck and the cap 10 threaded Tonto the The ring 15 will then be. passed throughthe opening in the back of the cap andospru ng into position in the groove in thefupperend of the adapter. L The parts will be adjusted to alinethe groove 22 with the notch 12, and the retainer 20 placed therein, the screwf25 being set through said 0 ening with a long screw driver or the like. 'l lielockin means forthe thermometer, in-

dig-atfldat ,is also readily applied through said 0 ening. In the form of Fig. 9, the screw U is set before the cap 10 is applied to the adapter. v

In Kg. 10 a form is shown wherein the tongue 12Q is omitted, this form otherwise being like that of Figs. 3 and 4.. Here the retainer 20 and the set screw 25 are placed I beforethe cap 10 is applied to the adapter, the retainerserving only to" prevent rotation of the adapter on the radiator neck. However, the tongue 120 of said Figs. 3 and 4 is of value particularly in the event that ringlfi should snap and fall out of its groovewhich otherwise probably would per mit removal. of the cap from the adapter.

\Vhen the device in normal position it will be directed forward as seen in Fig. 1..

\Vhen it is desired to fill the radiator or the eyes of the animal are illuminated as above mentioned.

1 claim: 7 1. A radiator cap comprising an adapter to be secured to a radiatorneek, a cap body.

secured upon said adapter and having a limited amount of movement only thereon, said cap-body having an opening therein for access to the interior thereof, and a closure for said opening, saidca body being movable by reason of said imited amount of movement to position Where said opening is readilyaccessible. 2. A'rad'iator cap comprising an adapter to be secured to a radiator neck, a cap body rotatably mounted on said adapter, retaining means for said body to permit limited rotation thereof and prevent removal thereof from said adapter, said body having. an opening therein for access to the interior thereof, and a lock-controlled closure for said opening. C 3. A radiator cap comprising an adapter to be secured to a radiator neck, means on the adapter to anchor the same on said neck, a cap body rotatably mounted on i said adapter with thead'apter projecting into the interior of said body, the projecting end of said adapter having a groove therein and a ring in said groove projecting therefromto prevent removal of said body.

4. A radiator cap. comprising a cap body having means to anchor the same on a radiator neck, an opening being provided in said" body for access to the interior thereof and to said anchoring means, a rotatable closure therefor, and lock-controlledmeans to preventrotation of said closure.

5. A radiator cap comprising a cap body having means adapted to anchor said body on a radiator neck and accessible only from tlieinterior of the body, said body havingan opening therein, a closure rotatable into said opening and having a projection, and a lock-controlled bolt movable into the path of said projection to prevent rotation and removal of said closure. 7

6. In a radiator cap, a cap body having means for locking the same on a radiator neck and accessible only from the interior of said body, said body having an opening for access to'the interior thereof, and a lockcontrolled closure for said opening.

7. A radiator cap comprising an adapter to be secured to a radiator neck and locked tl1ereon,'a cap body looked upon said adapter and having a limited amount of movement only thereon, the locking means for said parts being accessibleonly fromthe interior.

of the cap body, said body having an opening for access into said interior, and a lockcontrolled closure for said opening.

8. A radiator cap comprising a cap body adapted to be rotatably mounted on-a radia tor neck, retaining means for said body to permit limited rotation thereof with respect to the neck and to prevent removal, said body having an opening for access to the interior thereof, and a lock-controlled closure for said opening.

9. A device of the class described embodying therein a radiator filler spout, an adapter 10. A device of the class described "e -v 'bodying therein a radiator filler spout, an

adapter having an opening theret-hroughand being telescopically interfitted with said spout, screw means accessible through the opening for securing the adapter to the spout, a cap secured to the adapter and closing the opening therein, and a theft-proof lock associated with said cap and preventing access to said screw means. I

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' LOUIS A. BEAN. 

